Archival copy: for current recommendations see http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu or your local extension office.

HS967

Blueberry Varieties for Florida 1

J.G. Williamson and P.M. Lyrene2

Introduction Florida for commercial harvest, packing and shipping because they flower late, have long fruit development Blueberries are native to eastern North America. periods and actually ripen later than highbush They are one of the few crop plants that originated blueberries grown in North Carolina. After 1950, here. The rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei) highbush acreage in North Carolina and the northern occurs mostly in certain river valleys in northern states expanded rapidly. These highbush varieties Florida and southeastern Georgia. The highbush could not be grown in Florida because they had a high blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) is native in the chilling requirement. eastern third of the United States and southeastern Canada. Florida is rich in other native Vaccinium In 1976, the University of Florida blueberry species. The woods and swamps of Florida are breeding program released three new southern populated with at least eight wild blueberry species. highbush blueberry varieties which were bred No area of the state lacks wild blueberries, except specifically for Florida's mild climate and showed where soil pH is above 6.0. promise for producing early-ripening, good quality fruit. By 1983, a small blueberry shipping industry A short-lived commercial blueberry industry was was established in Florida. Because Florida's established in Florida over a century ago when wild southern highbush blueberries ripen earlier than rabbiteye blueberries were transplanted from the blueberries from other areas, they brought very high woods to cultivated fields. This may have been the prices. High prices and ready markets have lead to first attempt to cultivate blueberries commercially expansion of Florida's blueberry acreage. Between anywhere in the world. However, the enterprise was 1982 and 2002 Florida blueberry acreage has short-lived because of poor fruit quality and increased from less than 1000 acres to approximately marketing problems. During the next few decades 2000 acres and additional plantings are anticipated. there was little interest in commercial blueberry During the 1980s and early 1990s more than half of production in Florida. However, during the 1960s the Florida blueberry acreage consisted of rabbiteye small plantings of rabbiteye blueberries were varieties. During the last decade, most new plantings established for local consumption. During the 1960s have been southern highbush varieties. Southern and 1970s, rabbiteye blueberries were not planted in highbush varieties, on average, ripen 4 to 6 weeks

1. This document is HS967, one of a series of the Department of Horticultural Sciences, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date: March 2004. Please visit the EDIS Web site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. 2. J.G. Williamson, professor, and P.M. Lyrene, professor, Horticultural Sciences Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean Archival copy: for current recommendations see http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu or your local extension office.

Blueberry Varieties for Florida 2 earlier than rabbiteye varieties. Currently, well over in Ocala. Depending on the variety, southern half of the total Florida acreage is southern highbush highbush blueberries may be adapted from Sebring, and virtually all plantings established during the last 8 Fla., up the Florida peninsula, into southeastern years for commercial shipping are southern highbush. Georgia. Overhead irrigation for freeze protection is A survey in 1999 indicated that about one-third of the generally required for reliable fruiting of southern total blueberry acreage in Florida was less than 3 highbush blueberries because they flower so early. years old. Many new southern highbush plantings Cross pollination between, or among, varieties is have been established in the central Florida counties needed for maximum production for both types of of Polk, Hillsborough, and Lake, while several large blueberries. Therefore, multiple varieties are needed rabbiteye plantings in north and northwest Florida of either southern highbush or rabbiteye. Rabbiteyes have been abandoned. are needed to pollinate other rabbiteyes and southern highbush are needed to pollinate other southern As many new southern highbush plantings have highbush. come into bearing, annual statewide blueberry production has steadily increased from about 1.5 Southern Highbush Varieties. Southern million pounds in the early 1990s to over 3.5 million highbush blueberries were developed by crossing pounds in 2003. Fresh fruit prices have remained high northern highbush varieties from Michigan and New for early-ripening southern highbush varieties. Jersey with wild blueberries native in Florida and However, production problems have been many and other southeastern states. The first three southern severe. Although many aspects of blueberry growing highbush varieties were released from the University in Florida are better understood than they were a of Florida in the mid 1970s. Since then, many newer decade ago, blueberries remain a difficult crop to and improved southern highbush varieties have been grow in Florida. released.

The major incentive for growing blueberries in Southern highbush blueberries grown in Florida is the excellent market window available for peninsular Florida are the earliest blueberries to ripen blueberries that ripen before May 20. In recent years, in North America. These are the varieties that are blueberries have been planted in the southern currently grown for commercial shipping in Florida. hemisphere for shipping to the northern hemisphere Southern highbush blueberries are generally during the period from November to March. Southern considered more difficult to grow than rabbiteyes. highbush varieties are being planted along the Gulf Very early flowering makes southern highbush Coast from south Georgia to east Texas and in blueberries quite susceptible to late winter/early California. Nevertheless, the market period from spring freezes. Southern highbush blueberry plantings April 1 to May 10 is still available almost exclusively without overhead irrigation for frost protection to Florida growers, and fruit prices are usually high frequently lose their crops as far south as Highlands until late May when harvest of the North Carolina County. Moreover, compared to rabbiteye varieties, crop begins. southern highbush blueberries are less forgiving in soil requirements, more susceptible to excessive soil Blueberry Varieties moisture and drought, and generally more susceptible to a number of diseases such as Phytophthora root rot Two types of blueberries are grown in Florida; and blueberry stem blight than are most rabbiteye southern highbush and rabbiteye. The earliest varieties. Because of their early ripening season, ripening southern highbush varieties ripen about 4 to southern highbush blueberries are particularly 6 weeks earlier than the earliest rabbiteye varieties attractive to birds (especially cedar waxwings). Bird grown at the same location. Because they ripen damage has been quite severe on some farms in some earlier, southern highbush normally bring much years. Prospective southern highbush growers should higher prices than rabbiteye berries. be aware of establishment costs such as freeze Rabbiteye blueberries grow best in regions of protection, which requires overhead irrigation, and Florida where winters are as cold or colder than those Archival copy: for current recommendations see http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu or your local extension office.

Blueberry Varieties for Florida 3 soil preparation, which usually requires large factors including spring freezes, insufficient bee quantities of pine bark. populations to obtain complete pollination, blueberry gall midge and thrips damage to flowers, and leaf Rabbiteye varieties. On suitable blueberry soils diseases that result in early fall defoliation may be in north and north central Florida, rabbiteye involved. blueberries are more vigorous, longer lived, and easier to care for than most southern highbush Recent observations by growers and researchers varieties. They are more drought tolerant than suggests that the low yields of these rabbiteye southern highbush blueberries and can grow varieties may have been largely the result of thrips satisfactorily in soils which are lower in organic and gall midge damage to developing flowers and matter. Currently, commercial rabbiteye blueberry fruit. Efforts to control these pests more thoroughly in production is not recommended for areas with winter rabbiteye plantings have resulted in favorable yield temperatures milder than in Ocala because of the responses. However, even the early-ripening possibility of inadequate chilling. On the other hand, rabbiteye varieties do not ripen early enough in the severe crop losses to spring freezes are not season to be the best choice for fresh fruit shipping. uncommon in north Florida, especially for They are better suited for extending the early end of early-season rabbiteyes which bloom before mid- to the harvest season for local sales and u-pick late-season rabbiteyes. For home gardeners and operations. Commercial shipping operations in u-pick growers, late flowering varieties such as Florida should grow southern highbush varieties that Powderblue and Brightwell usually produce good are discussed later. Descriptions of the more crops without freeze protection at most locations in common early-season rabbiteye varieties are as northern Florida. follows.

Rabbiteye fruit is generally firmer than southern Austin - A new variety released by the highbush and, in many cases, they are capable of University of Georgia that ripens a few days after being mechanically harvested for the fresh market. Climax. Its yields have been good compared to other However, berries of highbush and rabbiteye are early-ripening rabbiteyes in northern Florida. enough alike that most consumers do not distinguish between the two. Generally, rabbiteyes are better Beckyblue - A 1977 release from the University suited for u-pick and local sales while southern of Florida which can be mechanically harvested for highbush are better suited for commercial shipping. the fresh market. Fruit have good color, size, and Rabbiteye blueberries grown in Florida can be firmness and a dry picking scar. Problems with early divided into early-, mid-, and late-season varieties. defoliation due to leaf diseases can reduce flower bud Home gardeners and u-pick growers who do not initiation. Older plants have benefitted from require an early harvest season will find that mid- and rejuvenation pruning to maintain adequate flower bud late-eason varieties are more reliable in fruiting. initiation. A low chilling requirement of 300 - 400 chill hours often results in very early flowering and Early-season Rabbiteye Varieties susceptibility to spring freezes.

During the early to mid 1980s, more than 500 Bonita - A 1985 release from the University of acres of Aliceblue, Beckyblue, Climax, and Bonita Florida which can be mechanically harvested for the were planted in north-central Florida for the fresh fresh market. Fruit ripen about three days after fruit shipping market. At that time, these were the Climax and have good size, color, and firmness with earliest-ripening rabbiteye varieties grown in North a dry picking scar. Plants are moderately vigorous America. They ripened about two weeks before and develop a dense bush with many canes. It Climax and Premier grown in Alma, Georgia, and generally has the same problems as Beckyblue with slightly before, or about the same time as, Croatan leaf diseases, early defoliation, and poor flower bud the principal highbush variety being grown in North initiation. It requries 350 - 400 chill hours. Carolina. Yields of early-season rabbiteyes grown in Florida have often been disappointingly low. Various Archival copy: for current recommendations see http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu or your local extension office.

Blueberry Varieties for Florida 4

Climax - a 1976 release from the University of picking scar. A possible choice for u-pick purposes Georgia which has concentrated ripening and can be but not recommended for machine harvest or for machine harvested for the fresh market. Fruit are commercial shipping. Its chilling requirement is medium in size and have a small scar and good flavor. estimated at 350 - 400 chill hours. Climax flowers more heavily and reliably than Beckyblue or Bonita. It is highly susceptible to the Powderblue is similar to Tifblue in season, blueberry gall midge. It requires 450 - 500 chill appearance and harvesting characteristics so that the hours. two can be harvested together. Powderblue usually cracks less and hangs on the bush better than Tifblue. Premier - a release from North Carolina State Powderblue is considered a very reliable producer in University which is vigorous and productive with northern Florida. Its chilling requirement is estimated excellent fruit color, size, and flavor. Canes on young at 350-400 chill hours. plants may not support heavy crop loads. It is highly susceptible to blueberry gall midge and should not be Tifblue is an older variety released from the planted without a spray program to control this insect. University of Georgia that has been widely planted in Its chilling requirement is estimated at 550 chill southeastern Georgia and to a lesser extent in hours. northern Florida. Plants are vigorous, upright, and productive. It has serious problems with fruit Mid- and Late-season Rabbiteye Varieties cracking during wet weather. Powderblue appears to be replacing Tifblue this season. The mid- and late-season rabbiteye varieties have generally been more productive in north peninsular Southern Highbush Varieties Florida than the early-season rabbiteyes. Mid- and late-season varieties ripen in northern Florida after Beginning in the late 1980s, southern highbush the North Carolina crop is on the market. In Florida, began to replace rabbiteye as the blueberry of choice these varieties are commonly grown on u-pick farms. for fresh fruit shipping within and from Florida. Trials at the University of Florida Research and Currently all Florida blueberry plantings that are Education Center in Monticello showed that mid- to grown for fresh fruit shipping are southern highbush late-season rabbiteye varieties are well adapted to varieties. Some of the more common southern northwest Florida while early-season rabbiteyes and highbush varieties are described below. southern highbush varieties are routinely frozen-out Bluecrisp is a patented release from the without freeze protection from overhead irrigation. University of Florida which appears to be well The more commonly grown mid- to late-season adapted to 400 - 600 chill hour zones of northern rabbiteye blueberry varieties for Florida are discussed Florida and southeastern Georgia. Bluecrisp is a below. moderately vigorous plant that tends to have a Brightwell is a 1983 University of Georgia spreading habit and leafs strongly after flowering in release which is vigorous, upright, and an excellent the Gainesville area. Berry size is similar to producer. Fruit are medium in size with a small dry Sharpblue and the scar is dry but medium deep. The scar and good flavor and may be mechanically unique characteristic of Bluecrisp is the unusually harvested for the fresh market. It probably is the best high fruit firmness that gives it its name. This rabbiteye variety currently available. The fruit ripen unusually high fruit firmness may enhance consumer after Climax; about the same time as Woodard. It has appeal and increase shelf life of the fresh berry. been highly productive as far south as Gainesville. Its Bluecrisp has not been popular with Florida growers chilling requirement is estimated at 350-400 chill because its yields are only medium and it typically hours. ripens from April 24 through May 16, about a week later than Star. Bluecrisp has produced higher yields Chaucer is a high yielding variety released by in southeastern Geogia than in northern Florida. In the University of Florida which is vigorous and southeast Georgia, it has a high incidence of cane spreading. Fruit are medium in size and have a wet Archival copy: for current recommendations see http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu or your local extension office.

Blueberry Varieties for Florida 5 die-back of unknown cause. Bluecrisp is more Gulf Coast was released by the USDA in 1987. It susceptible to leaf rust than most varieties. is not patented and may be propagated without restrictions. Plants are vigorous, semi-upright with Emerald (Fig. 1) was released as a patented medium to high productivity. Fruit are medium in variety by the University of Florida in1999, and is size and firm with good flavor. Gulf Coast has been currently one of the more widely planted varieties in widely used as a pollinizer for Sharpblue and Misty. north-central Florida. Emerald combines a vigorous, It has preformed better than most varieties in upright, bush with high yield potential, early southwest Florida. A major problem associated with ripening, and large, high-quality berries. Emerald Gulf Coast is a tendency for stems to remain attached flowers open uniformly, and it produces abundant to fruit during harvest. This can cause additional leaves even after mild winters in Gainesville. expense during picking and grading. Gulf Coast Because the plant is highly vigorous when planted on remains one of the more widely grown varieties south suitable soils, Emerald is capable of carrying heavy of I-4. crops. Emerald normally reaches full bloom in Gainesville about February 15, and overhead Jewel (Fig. 2) is a patented release from the irrigation is needed to protect flowers and fruit from University of Florida breeding program with a freezes in February and March. First harvest occurs a moderately low chilling requirement, very early few days earlier for Emerald than for Sharpblue and ripening, and high berry quality. In Gainesville, Star in Gainesville. About 90% of the fruit of Jewel typically flowers about February 16 and begins Emerald is normally ripe between April 19 and May ripening about 5 days earlier than Sharpblue. The 15 in Gainesville. average date when commercial harvest for Jewel begins in Gainesville is about April 15 and harvest is normally finished by May 12. Jewel produces a large number of flower buds but leafs well in the spring. Vigor is about equal to Sharpblue but Jewel is shorter and more spreading than Sharpblue. Berry quality is excellent but tends to be tart until fully ripe. Berry size is about equal to Sharpblue, but firmness and scar are much better than Sharpblue. Jewel may be considered for trial from Ocala north into SE Georgia. In central Florida, Jewel has looked good in some fields, producing large early berries but these plantings are still young. Jewel is moderately susceptible to Phytophthora root rot. Overhead irrigation is recommended for freeze protection wherever Jewel is grown.

Figure 1. 'Emerald' blueberry. Figure 2. 'Jewel' blueberry. Archival copy: for current recommendations see http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu or your local extension office.

Blueberry Varieties for Florida 6

Millennia (Fig. 3) was released as a patented Heavy winter pruning and use of Dormex have variety by the University of Florida breeding program partially alleviated the problems associated with in 2001. It is one of the more widely planted varieties overbearing and poor foliation. Misty is gradually in north-central Florida. Millennia is medium to high being replaced by superior varieties. in vigor and has a spreading, rather than an upright, growth habit. It produces a heavy load of flower buds in the fall, and young plants should be winter pruned the first 2 years to prevent over-fruiting and to enhance early leafing. Older plants may require either Dormex application or winter pruning to increase leafing and/or reduce the flower load. The average date on which Millennia reaches 50% open flower is about Feb. 16 in Alachua County. In Alachua County, first commercial harvest on Millennia (10% of fruit ripe) averages about April 15, and the first half of the berries are normally ripe by April 28. The berry of Millennia is large to very large on well-leafed bushes that are not overloaded. Millennia berries are very firm, equal to Star. The picking scar is good to excellent. The flavor is good, although it can be somewhat bland on poorly-leafed or overloaded plants.

Figure 4. 'Misty' blueberry.

Santa Fe is a patented release from the University of Florida blueberry breeding program. It Figure 3. 'Millennia' blueberry. appears to have a chilling requirement of about 400 hours making it higher in chilling than Sharpblue or Misty (Fig. 4) was released by the University of Gulf Coast (about equal to Star). It has received Florida in 1992. It is not patented and may be sufficient chilling in each of the past 10 years in propagated without restrictions. Its bloom and harvest Gainesville and has fruited well in the southeast season are similar to Sharpblue and for many years it corner of Alachua county. Santa Fe is probably not was the major pollinizer for Sharpblue in Florida. well adapted to areas south of Alachua County. In Fruit quality is excellent on plants that do not Gainesville, even with Dormex, flowers may be slow overbear. However, plants tend to have very heavy to open in the spring. Where flower bud set is flower bud set and produce an overabundance of fruit excessive, winter pruning is required to promote and leaf poorly in the spring. The stress associated adequate dud break. Santa Fe is strong, vigorous and with the heavy crop load and poor leafing often leads upright, with early-ripening, high-quality, fruit. On to severe infections of blueberry stem blight. It is average, Santa Fe reaches 50% open flower about extremely important with this variety to remove all February 25 in Alachua County and harvest on Santa fruit and flowers from one and 2-year old plants. Archival copy: for current recommendations see http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu or your local extension office.

Blueberry Varieties for Florida 7

Fe begins about the same time as on Sharpblue. during harvest. The mean date of open flowers is Berries are light blue with excellent flavor, scars and February 17 in Gainesville. The mean date of 50% firmness. Santa Fe is difficult to propagate by ripe fruit is May 1 in Gainesville. The plants are cuttings. Santa Fe may be of interest to growers in moderately susceptible to Phytophthora root rot and southeast Georgia because of its high vigor, disease various leaf spot diseases, but they generally survive resistance, and because it flowers later than most well in field settings. For many years Sharpblue was other Florida varieties. the major variety grown in Florida. However, it is no longer widely planted in Florida because of newer Sapphire (Fig. 5) is a low-chill southern varieties with improved fruit quality characteristics highbush blueberry that is recommended mainly as and earliness. an early-season variety in areas south of I-4 where blueberries can be commercially grown. In Alachua Southmoon was released by the University of County, Sapphire reaches 50% open flower about Florida in 1995. It appears well adapted to north February 18. First commercial harvest of Sapphire in Florida and SE Georgia. It flowers with Star but has a Alachua County averages about April 16 and harvest longer bloom-to-ripe period than Star. The harvest is complete before May 15. Ripening is more season is about 10 days later than Sharpblue and is concentrated on Sapphire than on Sharpblue. Fruit normally complete by May 20. When grown well, color and size are comparable to Sharpblue and Southmoon has excellent berry quality. However, Misty. The picking scar is dry and fruit are firm. because it is quite susceptible to Phytophthora root Sapphire is not as vigorous as Sharpblue and tends to rot and ripens 10 days later than Star, it has not been set large numbers of flower buds which may require widely planted in Florida and is considered obsolete thinning for adequate vegetative growth. The plants by most growers. may be slow to establish during the first 2 to 3 years after planting. Because of its low vigor, Sapphire Star (Fig. 6) was released by the University of should only be planted on good blueberry land or in Florida as a patented variety in 1995. Star is slightly pine bark beds. Overhead irrigation is recommended less vigorous than Sharpblue but its survival in the for freeze protection wherever Sapphire is grown. field is about equal to Sharpblue. Star holds its winter From Ocala north, Sapphire has been replaced by dormancy much better than Sharpblue and is less varieties with greater vigor, such as Star, Millennia, likely to bloom in January or early February. Average Jewel, and Emerald. date on which Star reaches 50% bloom in Alachua County is February 23. The first half of the berries are normally ripe by April 26. Star leafs well in Gainesville and southeastern Georgia. Star has a very short bloom to ripe interval and has a relatively compressed harvest period of about 3 weeks as compared to about 6 weeks for Sharpblue. Berries are excellent in size, firmness, and scar. Star appears to be best adapted to north Florida and southeastern Georgia. Star has not performed well south of Ocala where it tends to produce few flowers and has weak growth.

Windsor (Fig. 7) is vigorous, with stout stems Figure 5. 'Sapphire' blueberry. and a semi-spreading growth habit. The mean date of 50% open flower in Alachua County averages about Sharpblue was one of the first southern February 23. Windsor leafs out strongly as it begins highbush varieties released by the University of to flower, and this strong leafing enables it to support Florida (1976). It is not patented and may be a large crop. In Alachua County, the first commercial propagated without restrictions. Fruit are medium hand harvest on Windsor (10% of the crop ripe) sized with excellent flavor but the skin may tear Archival copy: for current recommendations see http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu or your local extension office.

Blueberry Varieties for Florida 8

without a license is a violation of the law, even if you own the plants from which the cuttings are taken. To inquire about licenses for Florida varieties, contact Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc., P.O. Box 309, Greenwood FL 32443; phone (850) 594-4721; e-mail [email protected]. Information about licenses for the University of Georgia varieties is available from Georgia Seed Development Commission, 2420 South Milledge Ave., Athens GA 30605; phone (706) 542-5640; E-mail www.gsdc.com. Figure 6. 'Star' blueberry. Conclusions averages about April 15, and 50% of the berries are Variety selection depends on where in Florida normally ripe by April 28. Windsor berries are very you are growing blueberries and on your marketing large. Berries from the first half of the harvest objectives. Both rabbiteye and southern highbush average about 2.4 grams on young vigorous plants. have their advantages and disadvantages, and specific The berries are about the same color as those of varieties within each type have their own merits and Sharpblue and Star. It has good firmness and flavor. deficiencies. Most commercial blueberry growers in Although Windsor grows and fruits well, it has lost Florida are interested in the early, fresh fruit market favor among growers because of the deep picking which usually is associated with excellent fruit scar which complicates packing and reduces prices. post-harvest life. Early-season rabbiteye varieties have not been consistently productive and they ripen later than the early southern highbush varieties. Therefore, most new plantings intended for the fresh market are early-ripening southern highbush varieties. Many southern highbush varieties are not well adapted to extreme north and northwest Florida because they flower early and hard freezes in February and March can greatly reduce yields. Even in central and south-central Florida, southern highbush growers must provide protection from late freezes, usually with overhead irrigation. Figure 7. 'Windsor' blueberry. Rabbiteye varieties are commonly grown Patented Varieties: Legal throughout north and northwest Florida for u-pick and Requirements for sale through other local marketing outlets. U-picked and locally marketed blueberries have The blueberry breeding programs in Florida, recently become an underutilized marketing option, North Carolina, and Michigan are financed to a large particularly for the small farmer, as most Florida extent by revenues from royalty payments on patented growers aim for the high-priced commercial shipping varieties. Most of the newer varieties developed by market. these programs are patented. Propagation of these varieties requires a license from the agency holding the patent. Planting a patented variety does not require a license if the plant was purchased from a licensed propagator. Propagation of patented varieties Blueberry Varieties for Florida 9

Table 1. Characteristics of some southern highbush blueberry varieties.

Cultivar Adaptation to Climatic Zones Gainesville Harvest Season Gainesville Berry Hand-picking Packing Speed Special Date of 50% Size Speed Post-harvest Life Notes Central N Fla. SE Ga. Open Flowers 20% 50% ripe 90% Fla. ripe ripe Bluecrisp 2 9 9 Feb. 28 Apr. 24 May 2 May 16 8 5 10 10 A Emerald 8 10 8 Feb. 16 Apr. 19 Apr. 29 May 15 9 9 9 10

Gulf Coast 9 4 2 Feb. 14 Apr. 20 Apr. 30 May 15 5 4 3 8 B Archival Jewel 9 9 7 Feb. 16 Apr. 18 Apr. 28 May 14 9 9 9 10 Millennia 5 10 8 Feb. 16 Apr. 15 Apr. 28 May 15 9 9 9 7 copy:

Misty 5 5 7 Feb. 20 Apr. 20 May 1 May 20 8 8 9 10 C for Santa Fe 1 3 7 Feb. 25 Apr. 24 May 3 May 20 7 8 9 10 C current Sapphire 9 6 5 Feb. 18 Apr. 15 Apr. 28 May 10 8 8 9 10 B recommendations Sebring 10 6 3 Feb. 12 Apr. 22 May 1 May 8 8 8 9 9 B Shaprblue 9 5 2 Feb. 17 Apr. 22 May 1 May 20 6 4 3 5 B Southern 2 5 8 Mar 1 Apr 18 Apr 28 May 15 8 9 10 10 D Belle Star 2 10 9 Feb. 23 Apr. 18 Apr. 26 May 10 9 10 9 10 see http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu Windsor 6 10 8 Feb. 23 Apr. 18 Apr. 28 May 15 9 9 7 5 Good:10+, 9, 8- --- Medium: 7+, 6, 5- --- Poor - 4+, 3, 2, 1- Notes: A. Very sweet and crisp textured. Many people prefer flavor. Hart to remove ripe berries (high detachment force). Later ripening and quite susceptible to early defoliation by leaf rust if not properly sprayed.

B. Not recommended for commercial shipment except in central Fla. or C. Requires detailed hand pruning in winter to obtain sufficient leafing. your

D. Highly susceptible to root rot. Requires excellent soil drainage. local extension office.